GREENEVILLE, TENN. — A late four-goal fourth period pushed the Pioneers over the Cavaliers in SAC action by a score of 14-9 on Wednesday, April 12.

The Cavaliers (9-6, 5-4 SAC) jumped to a 2-0 start off the sticks of Abby Stoffelen and Anna Claire Watt in the first period. Kamryn McNeil of the Tusculum (6-8, 3-5 SAC) cut the lead in half with a goal at the 4:21 mark before Caitlyn Schultz drove a goal in seconds later to take a 3-1 UVA Wise lead. The Pioneers responded with two back-to-back goals to finish off the first period tied at 3 apiece.

The second period was as close as the first as the Cavaliers scored four goals from Mallory Trimble (1), Katie Allen (1), Logen Davis (1), and Schultz (1). Tusculum found their way to the goal three times in the frame but were down 7-6 going into the break.

Out of halftime, the Pioneers drove their way through a three-goal sequence that gave their squad a 9-7 advantage. Grace Golatt and Stoffelen put a shot each in the goal but Tusculum held on to a 10-9 edge going into the final quarter.

In the fourth, the Cavaliers were held scoreless. UVA Wise were hit with bad luck as two goals were called off after official stick checks — and Tusculum drove four goals to the net in the process from Tia Daniel (2), Lucy Brewer (1) and Mackenzie Sherrod (1).

"Had some unlucky breaks and things not go our way, and that is tough to swallow," UVA Wise head coach Meghan Dennehy said. "Now, we need to learn and move on to the next game."

UVA Wise outshot the Pioneers by a 38-25 margin, had 25 shots on goal compared the the Pioneers' 20.

Tusculum put up 16 saves from goalkeeper Emily White. The duo of Olivia Toomer and Jordan Edwards put together six saves.

Schultz and Stoffelen led the Cavaliers with two goals each, while Schultz added a team-leading five groundballs.

Daniel led Tusculum with seven goals.
 

Up next, UVA Wise faces Catawba in the final regular season matchup on Saturday, April 22 with a 1 PM start at Carl Smith Stadium.